Episode Description:

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with someone very near and dear to my heart — Amy Gorski, owner of Poppy Bakery in Milwaukee, WI, and a former kitchen manager and head baker at Spilt Milk. Amy has had one of the most intentional, inspiring, hard-won journeys to bakery ownership I’ve ever seen, and in this conversation she opens up about the decisions, discipline, and deep commitment to quality that have shaped her business.

From her years of working in some of the Midwest’s most respected kitchens, to her methodical plan for gaining the skills she needed, to the realities of farmers’ market life, to launching Poppy Bakery and earning Best Bakery in Milwaukee within months — Amy shares it all. This is an episode full of honesty, heart, and so many takeaways for any baker dreaming of their next step.

Key Takeaways:

• The mindset shift that allowed Amy to confidently move from “someday” to opening her own bakery
• Why she chose not to pursue wholesale — and how that decision transformed the consistency, quality, and guest experience at Poppy
• How 14 years of working for other chefs became her greatest asset (and why she believes young bakers should avoid management too early)
• The surprising tough-love realities of farmers’ market life — and how those long, grueling weekends prepared her for brick-and-mortar success
• What helped Poppy Bakery grow a loyal community fast and earn city-wide recognition within months of opening

Resources + Links:

• Poppy Bakery - Check out Milwaukee’s best new bakery!
• Follow Amy on Instagram
• Got a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast? Email me! hello@bakerybusinessacademy.com
• Visit Bakery Business Academy's website for more information about our courses, programs, and private coaching with Meg
• Join our Bakery Owners Facebook Group to connect with fellow bakers and continue the conversation

If your bakery is feeling the post-holiday sales slump right now—you’re not alone. In this episode of Kitchen Notes, Meg walks through a calm, strategic 5-step plan to help you assess the dip, figure out where it's coming from, and create a realistic game plan to recover revenue without panic or burnout.

Whether January is slow for you, or your dip hits in July or October, this episode will give you a framework you can return to any time the numbers feel off.

Key Takeaways:

• Why seasonal dips are normal (and even predictable) in bakery businesses—and how to plan for them
• The first number you must know before you can rebound from a sales dip
• How to analyze which parts of your business are underperforming so you can stop guessing
• Creative, low-effort promo ideas that can help you quickly fill the revenue gap
• The one action step that most bakery owners skip when they’re feeling stressed or discouraged—but that can make or break your momentum

Resources + Links:

• Bakery Finance Essentials – our self-paced online e-course course designed for bakery owners who want to get more confident with their numbers
• Got a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast? Email me! hello@bakerybusinessacademy.com
• Join our Bakery Owners Facebook Group to connect with fellow bakers and continue the conversation
  
  

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Did you enjoy this episode? If so, I’d be very grateful if you'd leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Have a question or topic you want covered on a future episode? Send me a message—I love hearing from you!

Episode Description:

In today’s episode, we’re answering a listener question that came up during one of our recent live workshops — and it’s one I hears all the time:

What’s your top cost-saving tip for bakery owners?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make your bakery more profitable, this episode is for you. I'm shares the real, often overlooked secret to improving your margins — and it’s not about cutting labor, finding cheaper ingredients, or slashing your rent!

Whether you’re just getting your bakery off the ground or you’ve been in business for years, I hope this simple & powerful reminder helps improve the way you manage your bakery’s finances this year and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• Why profitability isn't about one magic fix — and what it is about instead
• The slow, sneaky “leaks” that drain your profits (and how to catch them early)
• A simple routine that can help you make better, faster, and easier financial decisions
• How staying close to your numbers reduces stress and increases confidence
• My practical recommendation for checking in on your finances — even if you “hate numbers”

Resources Mentioned:

• Bakery Finance Essentials – our self-paced online e-course course designed for bakery owners who want to get more confident with their numbers
• 🗣️ Got a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast? Email me! hello@bakerybusinessacademy.com
  
  

Enrollment is now open for our flagship bakery finance program - Bakery Finance Essentials 🎉

To learn more the course or sign up today, visit: https://courses.bakerybusinessacademy.com/bfe/